WHY I FIRED ROY
He was abusive to me, he cuss me and tell me that he doesn't have to account to me
Anna Ramdass aramdass@trinidadexpress.com
Friday, November 16th 2007
ELECTION QUARREL: UNC-A co-leader Jack Warner tells why he kicked out COP chairman Roy Augustus. PHOTO: MICHEAL BRUCE
UNC Alliance co-leader Jack Warner has broken his silence over the firing of his longtime friend and political rival Roy Augustus from an executive position at CONCACAF, saying he was the victim of an obscene, abusive confrontation.
Warner, president of CONCACAF and vice president of FIFA, said yesterday that Augustus, the chairman of the Congress of the People, was putting his political interests before his work.
"He (Augustus) was abusive to me, he cuss me and tell me that he doesn't have to account to me for his time and that I am the world's greatest deceiver," said Warner, who once shared a 25-year professional friendship with Augustus, a former principal of Rosary Boys' RC School.
Warner was speaking at President's House, St Ann's after United National Congress Political Leader Basdeo Panday officially received his instrument of appointment for the post of Opposition Leader from President George Maxwell Richards.
Warner said some time ago Augustus told him he had a meeting at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, but it turned out that Augustus went to the COP headquarters at Gaston Court, Chaguanas to join COP political leader Winston Dookeran at a press conference.
"I sacked him because he left to go to the Centre of Excellence to a meeting and he lied...he went to Gaston (Court) with Mr Dookeran," said Warner, adding that he was upset when he saw Augustus's photo on the front page of a daily newspaper the next day.
"So I wrote to him and I asked him why and he cuss my mother, my grandchildren, my mother and so on, he told me that Mr Panday say to fire him and why don't I fire him. I say you fired," said Warner.
"He said to me I could do what I want and all the F's in the world and all the mother so and so in the world, I say to him thank you very much," Warner continued.
Warner said he did not fire Augustus before because of Augustus's loyalty to the COP.
"Mr Augustus has been in the COP as chairman for over a year, I didn't sack him. He went on leave, I didn't sack him. He went on the platform and was very critical and nasty of me, I didn't sack him," said Warner.
Warner added that Augustus was given four weeks leave from work with pay, which he was not entitled to, to campaign in the general elections.
He said he gave Augustus time to build his party and he never had a problem with that.
"We parted company based on his obscene behaviour," Warner said.
"He (Augustus) telling me that he from behind the bridge as though that is some claim to fame, well I am from under the bridge," slammed Warner.
Warner said he does not have any intention of sacking other COP members who work for him as long as they do their jobs.
"I have never spoken to Mr (Ken) Emrith or Mr (Felix) Hernandez as yet about firing them and I don't see how that arises, I say to these guys if you do your work, then fine."
Emrith is the manager of the Centre of Excellence and Hernandez is in charge of security.
Both are senior COP members.
Warner said some of his employees who are devoted to the COP abused the company's resources in the election race.
He said the chief security officer of the Centre of Excellence used the company's car to transport COP supporters to vote on election day.
A senior COP member confirmed last night the verbal assault by Augustus but said he was provoked.
"Roy did tell off Warner but he did so after receiving a very nasty e-mail," said the COP member who did not wish to named.
"Roy is not the kind of person to just curse somebody so, Warner was very nasty in his e-mail," he continued.
He added that the people should not be fooled and think that Warner was "silent like a lamb".
The Express tried to contact Augustus yesterday but calls to his cell phone (a company mobile unit) went unanswered.
Jack's COP employees fearful after 'firing'
Anna Ramdass aramdass@trinidadexpress.com
Wednesday, November 14th 2007
Devoted members of the Congress of the People (COP), who are also employees of United National Congress Alliance co-leader Jack Warner, are said to be in fear of losing their jobs.
The Express has learnt that these employees are uneasy following an episode between Warner and COP chairman Roy Augustus which resulted in the departure of Augustus as deputy chief executive officer of CONCACAF on Monday.
The Express tried to contact both Augustus and Warner yesterday but several calls to their numbers went unanswered.
It is not clear whether Augustus was fired or if he walked off the job.
Warner on Monday told the Express that he was in New York on business and questions should be directed to Augustus. He said he will speak on the issue at a later time as he was in a meeting, however, when the Express tried to contact him again, Warner could not be reached.
Sources informed the Express that following Augustus's departure from the Warner Group of Companies, other employees who are affiliated with the COP have become uneasy.
Warner is the boss of other COP supporters such as Ken Emrith and Felix Hernandez.
Warner had previously told the media that a number of people working under him have allegiance to other political parties, but said he was not the kind of person to threaten their jobs.
COP member Gary Griffith told the Express yesterday that Warner needs to come clean and state whether he has a problem with COP supporters working for him.
Griffith said if Warner is not satisfied with these people's performance, including Augustus, then something is wrong because they are all hard-working employees.
